A Supposedly Sinful Burger Stirs Up Controversy

In Chicago, Kuma's Corner, a heavy metal-themed beers-and-burgers restaurant, has ignited a debate over a burger that unites beef and the Eucharist.

The hamburger of the month is the Ghost, named for a Swedish metal band known as Ghost or Ghost B.C., the lead singer of which wears a Roman Catholic cardinal's robe on stage.

The burger features a 10-ounce beef patty accompanied by slow-braised goat, a "Ghost chile aioli," white cheddar cheese, a pretzel bun, a red wine reduction, and an unconsecrated communion wafer.

The restaurant's Facebook announcement deems the burger in "the spirit of our undying reverence for the lord and all things holy" and "a fitting tribute to the supreme blasphemous activities carried out by the band itself," describing the red wine reduction as "(the blood of christ)" and the communion wafer as "(the body of christ)." The call to action: "Come pay your respects!" The cost: $17.

The Ghost burger is topped with a communion wafer and a red wine reduction.

Not everyone was happy to hear about the Ghost burger. A local "Catholic foodie" blogger proclaimed it "a mockery of something that is holy." After the debate went national, Kuma's posted an announcement online, citing the First Amendment and stating they would be donating $1,500 to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Catholic Charities declared they wouldn't accept the donation. "Communion is a central part of the Catholic faith," a representative told the Chicago Tribune. "We strongly urge Kuma's to discontinue selling a burger that disrespects that faith and the faith of all Christians." Kuma's says they will continue selling the burger.

The day I visited the Kuma's in the Avondale neighborhood, one of two locations in Chicago, the place was packed. Metal music blared, and a smog of grilled burger smoke wafted through the air. In the front window, a sign advised: "HIPPIES USE BACKDOOR."

An unsmiling hostess in a Rob Zombie T-shirt took me to a table on the back patio. The menu noted, “THERE ARE NO VEGAN OPTIONS ON KUMA’S MENU.” The burger options included the Black Sabbath, the Iron Maiden, and the Plague Bringer. Beers ranged from the Cane & Ebel to the Greenbush Anger to the Flying Dog Raging Bitch.

My blonde, tattooed waitress, who was wearing a black T-shirt emblazoned with "LUCIPURR" and a picture of a kitten with an upside down cross on its forehead, reassured me the Ghost burger was really good.

Eventually, the Ghost burger arrived, accompanied by a side order of fries. It was heavy and messy, delivering a spicy kick, its bun sweet, the result hearty. It was delicious.

I peeled back the top bun to find the communion wafer smooshed into the red wine reduction and cheese. The wafer tasted like nothing.

A man took a seat at a nearby table. The back of his T-shirt read, "IDOLIZE NOTHING."

A few days later, I reached out to Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest, author of My Life with the Saints, and editor-at-large at America Magazine, to find out what he thought: Is the Ghost burger blasphemous or good business?

"Technically, an unconsecrated host is just that -- unconsecrated and, basically, just a piece of bread," he replied in an email. "So, on the one hand, it may be just one burger joint's desperate attempt to attract customers and stir up some controversy, which always increases sales. On the other hand, as a Catholic, I find this kind of needless sarcasm annoying -- would they pull a stunt like this mocking Judaism or Islam? I doubt it. Anyway, Chicago is more known for its hot dogs: I'll stick to that."